Dowsing for Beginners

Dowsing (also known as divination) is the art of locating things with either a pendulum or dowsing rods. It is unclear when the practice of dowsing first began, but it became very popular in Germany during the 15th century when the technique was used to find metals. Scientists have yet to discover exactly how dowsing works, but many people believe that it has to do with magnetic energy flow.

Dowsing can be used to find energies such as water, ore, minerals, oil and even gravesites underground. Many large companies use dowsers to scout potential mining sites before test drilling. Pendulum dowsing is a technique often employed to find objects and people, and is also used to answer questions or predict the future.

There are no special skills needed for dowsing: it is possible for anyone to do it.

Make yourself dowsing rods with a couple of wire coat hangers. Cut and shape them into two matching L shaped wire rods. And remember kids to make sure to file rough edges so you are not in danger of cutting yourself. Go out to your garden, or the street, and loosely hold the short ends of the rods, one in each hand, holding your hands at waist height, and gradually move forward until the rods cross. This will happen (without any help from you) when your path crosses a water pipe. You will probably be able to track the pipe back to your house, or the nearest fire hydrant. This is a fun exercise that helps to convince non-believers that there really are energies that we have yet to understand.

Pendulum dowsing can be great fun too. Most dowsers recommend pendulums and cords made from natural materials. Crystal pendulums are very popular, but you can also use a ring, or a shell hung on a cord of wool or thread. Pendulums seem to work by swinging in circles which will mean "Yes" or "No" depending on whether it is a clockwise or anti-clockwise motion. This seems to vary depending on the individual, so you first need to work out which way the pendulum swings for you. Holding the pendulum by the cord so it is free to move, ask a question that you know the answer to and see which way the pendulum swings. Do this a few times with various "Yes/No" questions to confirm your "Yes/No" directions. Then ask a friend to hide some object in the room. Hunt for the hidden object by asking your pendulum if you are getting closer and let it direct you until you find it.